White Gold Wedding Bands: Chuppah Tradition

The chuppah is a canopy or covering that is part of Jewish wedding tradition. It represents the couple's first home together and symbolises the hospitality they will extend to their family and friends.

The chuppah is usually a square structure with four poles and a top. It is open on all four sides and traditionally held up by family members during the ceremony.

When it comes to wedding bands, white gold is a popular choice. It goes with everything and symbolises eternal love and friendship.

Chuppah symbolism and history

The chuppah is a canopy under which Jewish couples get married. The word 'chuppah' means 'covering' or 'protection' and is intended as a roof or covering for the bride and groom during their wedding ceremony. It is also colloquially used as another word for the wedding 'ceremony'.

The chuppah is a square cloth, usually made of silk, wool, velvet, or cotton, supported by four staves or poles. It is open on all four sides, symbolising the concept of unconditional hospitality. This is in reference to the biblical tent of Abraham and Sarah, which was open on all sides to welcome people into their home.

The chuppah symbolises the new Jewish home being created by the marriage. In ancient texts and interpretations, the word chuppah described the marital bed or preparations for intercourse. The cloth symbolised the roof of the groom's home, where the couple would consummate their union. In modern times, the canopy's meaning has broadened to represent a new home created equally by both partners.

The chuppah is also seen by some as a sign of God's presence beneath the canopy, presiding over the union. It is also reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, with the four poles representing the four rivers surrounding the garden in the biblical story.

The construction of the chuppah is simple, but it can be decorated to include symbolic elements such as flowers, specifically roses (romantic love) or myrtle leaves (fertility and life).

Chuppah rental options

Miracle Chuppah (San Francisco, CA)

Miracle Chuppah offers hand-crafted, customisable chuppahs that can be tailored to the look of your wedding and venue, whether it's indoors or outdoors. They provide a full-service wedding package that includes delivery, set-up, lighting, decor, and clean-up. Miracle Chuppah has excellent reviews, with customers praising the staff for their professionalism and the wide variety of options available.

Dayenu Judaica (San Francisco, CA)

Dayenu Judaica offers three different chuppah styles for rent: Champagne, Ani L’dodi, and Center Lace. The rental fee is $250, and a $1000 refundable deposit is also required. The chuppah comes complete with poles and stands, and you can pick it up and return it to their San Francisco location.

Afikomen Judaica (San Francisco Bay Area)

Afikomen Judaica offers beautiful wedding canopy rentals with various designs, including handwoven gold and white, white with silver stripes, and silver embroidered organza. Their rental terms include a Thursday to Tuesday rental period, with pick-up and return times specified. The rental fee for the canopy of your choice is $120, and they have a no-fee cancellation policy.

Chuppah Rental NYC (New York, New York)

This company provides chuppah rental services in the New York, New Jersey, and Long Island areas, among others. They offer a 15% discount on chuppah rental when you order your wedding flowers through them.

Chuppah floral ideas

Chuppahs are a central part of Jewish wedding ceremonies, symbolising the home the newlyweds will build together. There are endless ways to design a chuppah, from the traditional to the modern, but one popular choice is to decorate the structure with flowers. Here are some ideas for a floral chuppah:

Colour Schemes

Chuppahs can be decorated with flowers in a variety of colours to match the wedding theme. For example, a couple could choose bright, happy colours to reflect their Latin heritage, or opt for a bold rainbow design. White roses and greenery create a timeless, elegant look, while pink and orange flowers can add a cheerful pop of colour.

Types of Flowers

When choosing flowers for a chuppah, it's important to consider the setting and climate. Hearty botanicals like eucalyptus may hold up better than delicate blooms like orchids. For a beach wedding, driftwood can be used as the main structure, with flowing fabric and flowers attached. Hydrangeas are a great option for adding fullness, while roses and peonies make a dramatic statement. Sunflowers can be a bright and chic choice for a minimal chuppah, and baby's breath can add a whimsical touch.

Personal Touches

Couples can add a personal touch to their chuppah by incorporating meaningful heirlooms, such as a prayer shawl or a relative's vintage veil. They can also include their favourite flowers, or choose blooms that reflect their cultural heritage. Chuppahs can also be constructed from bamboo or driftwood sourced from a family backyard, or decorated with a custom tallit created by the couple's family.

Creative Designs

Chuppahs don't have to be traditional—couples can get creative with their designs. For example, a suspended chuppah can create a magical, floating effect, while a round chuppah breaks away from the typical square structure. Couples can also think outside the box with their floral arrangements, such as hanging flowers from the ceiling or creating a flower curtain.

Natural Settings

For outdoor weddings, couples can embrace the natural setting by choosing a chuppah made from natural materials like bamboo or birch. The structure can be decorated with locally-grown foliage and flowers, or left relatively bare to blend in with the surroundings. For a rustic wedding, a chuppah made from thick birch logs can be topped with garden roses and olive branches for a coastal boho theme.

Chuppah simple ideas

A chuppah is a canopy attached to four poles that symbolises the home built by the couple during their marriage. Here are some simple chuppah ideas:

• A simple wooden structure with a canopy made from a meaningful piece of fabric, such as a family member's tallit (prayer shawl) or a quilt.
• A wooden chuppah with a floral arrangement in one corner, complemented by a wooden structure.
• A bamboo chuppah with pretty and fun florals in elegant colours.
• A rustic wood chuppah with bright and beautiful flowers.
• A simple wood chuppah with an ocean view as the backdrop.
• A chuppah made of driftwood for a beach wedding.
• An outdoor birch chuppah for couples with a neutral colour scheme.
• A eucalyptus and vine-adorned chuppah for a garden-themed wedding.
• A bamboo chuppah with pink and white roses and delphiniums for a beach wedding.
• A simple floral chuppah with colourful florals.
• A chuppah with a geometric design that is modern, rustic, and romantic.
• A floral chuppah with a panoramic view.
• A simple floral chuppah with white hydrangeas and greenery.
• A chuppah with a laser-cut canopy.
• A simple chuppah with a triangle structure, handmade from bamboo and decorated with green ivies and white orchids.
• A chuppah with a birch structure, decorated with eucalyptus, delphinium, and roses.
• A chuppah with a wooden structure, decorated with crawling greenery and blooms.

Chuppah modern ideas

Modern chuppah ideas are endless, and you can incorporate elements that reflect your personality as a couple. Here are some unique and modern chuppah ideas to inspire you:

Whimsical Wedding Chuppah

This chuppah is a masterpiece made from branches, cherry blossoms, roses, and hydrangeas. It adds a whimsical and romantic touch to the wedding ceremony.

White Patterned Chuppah

A white chuppah with a laser-cut lace-inspired pattern creates a delicate and elegant look. The design can be enhanced with flower arrangements in colours inspired by the desert and sunset, such as sage, white, pale orange, and pink.

Industrial Copper Chuppah

A copper frame with colourful floral arrangements adds a modern and fresh twist to the traditional chuppah. It is a unique way to incorporate secular elements while still honouring Jewish traditions.

Elegant Lucite Chuppah

For a rooftop wedding, consider an acrylic chuppah that allows guests to enjoy the surrounding views. This modern and sleek option ensures an unobstructed backdrop for your wedding vows and photographs.

Paper Cranes Chuppah

Incorporate cultural elements by including paper cranes, a Japanese tradition symbolizing happiness, strength, and loyalty. This idea blends Jewish and Japanese wedding traditions, creating a unique and meaningful chuppah.

Custom House-Shaped Chuppah

The chuppah symbolizes the couple's first home together. A custom black chuppah in the shape of a house is a modern and creative way to represent this symbolism.

Round Chuppah

While the traditional chuppah has a square configuration, a round chuppah offers a unique twist while still incorporating the essential elements. This idea blends tradition with a contemporary circular shape.

Frequently asked questions